Daryl Powell and Matt Ellis making Wakefield better after relegation

DARYL Powell and Matt Ellis know they are cooking up a comeback that will make Wakefield a worthy Super League side.

The new chef that has been brought in shows that.

Wakefield hope to come back after suffering relegation from Super LeagueSWPIX.COM

Trinity’s relegation from the top flight had been coming. Many believe it should have happened years ago as their dilapidated Belle Vue ground was not fit for purpose.

But if anything, they are already on the way to bouncing back better – as a team and a club – following kitchen maker millionaire Ellis’ takeover and former Castleford and Warrington boss Powell’s appointment as coach.

Changes already put in place, along with some demands in a new stand that has not even opened yet, are just the first steps.

“A lot of the things Matt’s done have been refreshing for the players,” said Powell, who replaced Mark Applegarth. “Things like the chef that’s come in.

“I said right at the start, ‘Get the food right’ and things like that. Things that make players feel valued and that they’re in a professional environment.

“But that’s the tip of the iceberg. A few things are happening in terms of the players’ areas the boys will be blown away with. They’ll make sure we’re working in an elite environment, which is what we all want.

“Players want to see someone who wants to take the club up to the very top and not accepting of poor standards.

“And that’s where Wakefield is going, I can’t say how exciting it is if I’m honest.”

Ellis, a fan and sponsor who took over from John Minards and Michael Carter, added: “I found a club that needed work, parts of which were a little run down and needed some investment and energy putting into them.

“As well as the chef, we’ve already moved the training base – with the long-term vision of having our own. We’ve redone the players’ social area and we’re even looking to improve the club coach that takes us to games.

New owner Matt Ellis is making many changes off the field since taking chargeWAKEFIELD TRINITY

“The Western Terrace isn’t right, the boxes in the ground haven’t been touched for 20 years and I’m not 100 per cent happy with the new stand. It needs further work to bring it to the level we expect.

“Redoing some of the facilities is critical for the players and supporters. You can put money into it but you’ve got to have a facility top players want to play at.

“I talk straight – I don’t hide away. I talk ambitious, maybe a bit too ambitious and put pressure on ourselves, but that’s where Daryl and I want to be. We want to be at the top end of Super League, so let’s aim for it.”

Wakefield will show how they are coming together on the field when they face Leeds in Tuesday’s traditional trial match.

As well as keeping the best of last season’s squad, Trinity have added the likes of former England winger Jermaine McGillvary and the prolific Lachlan Walmsley, with Ellis’ investment keeping them full-time.

Daryl Powell believes are on the road to bouncing back better from relegation

And Powell – quick to point out he was born in nearby Ackworth despite his Castleford connection – revealed how former boss Applegarth played a part.

He added: “I found a good group of blokes on the playing side. I sat down with Mark and he told me he felt like he’d got rid of all the players he felt didn’t want to be at the club. He was proved right.

“And the work that Matt’s done, along with his vision, is something you couldn’t help but get grabbed by.

“If the group of players isn’t ready to change, you can’t do anything. I saw a group of people that wanted to change and be successful. That’s why it’s such an exciting place to be at.”